'Allow outsiders in, let them invest': Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath recommends this book on Apple in China, rates it 9/10

Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, has recommended Patrick McGee's Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company, calling it a "9/10" read.

"Rating 9/10.. Allow outsiders in, let them invest, learn, climb up the value chain, outcompete, replace, export.( Ecosystem ecosystem ecosystem) Easy read, very story book like," said Kamath in a post on X.

How did people react?

Kamath's recommendation sparked discussion among users on X, with many adding the book to their reading lists and drawing parallels with India's manufacturing ambitions.

"Thanks for the recommendation. Added to TBR list," said one user.

"Ok boss padhta hu," another wrote.

"It's brilliantly narrated. This and Chip War are two must read ones to understand the chip and electronics ecosystem."

"100%. It is such a fascinating book. So many take aways as we think of Indian manufacturing ecosystem development."

What is the book about?

Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company by Patrick McGee explores how Apple's decision to shift much of its manufacturing to China transformed not only the company but also the global technology landscape.

The book traces how Apple, in its pursuit of efficient and cost-effective production, invested heavily in China's manufacturing ecosystem by deploying thousands of engineers, training millions of workers and helping build one of the world's most sophisticated supply chains. While these efforts fuelled the iPhone's global success, they also contributed to the rise of China's electronics industry and technological capabilities.

Drawing on more than 200 interviews, internal documents and accounts from Silicon Valley and Shenzhen, McGee examines how a commercial strategy gradually evolved into a broader geopolitical issue, arguing that Apple's deep dependence on China inadvertently strengthened Beijing's position in the ongoing US-China technology rivalry.

Check Nikhil Kamath's post here

Five books that have shaped Nikhil Kamath's thinking

Kamath has often shared the books that have influenced his worldview, saying that reading has helped him understand people and decision-making better than financial statements alone.

Among his top recommendations is The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, which argues that financial success is driven more by behaviour than intelligence, emphasising the importance of patience, discipline and emotional control over market prediction.

He has also recommended Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday, which explores how clarity, calmness and self-discipline can lead to better decisions, particularly in times of uncertainty.

Another book on Kamath's reading list is The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins, which examines how evolutionary biology shapes human behaviour and decision-making.

On social issues, Kamath has suggested Caste by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, a book that explores systems of social hierarchy and inequality across different societies.

Collectively, Kamath's recommendations span psychology, philosophy, biology, history and sociology, reflecting his belief that understanding human behaviour is as important as understanding business and finance.